El Salvador's Navy conducted the largest single-operation drug seizure in the nation's history on June 18, 2026, intercepting two low-profile vessels (LPVs) operating far offshore in international waters and confiscating a combined 6.68 tons of cocaine valued at approximately $167 million.
The first interception occurred 582 nautical miles (1,074 kilometers) southwest of Bocana El Cordoncillo in the Estero de Jaltepeque. Navy elements boarded the vessel and arrested three traffickers — two Colombians and one Ecuadorian — who were transporting 3.425 tons of cocaine. Six hours later, in the same operational zone, a second LPV was located 633 nautical miles (1,172 kilometers) southwest of the same reference point. That vessel carried another three traffickers of identical national composition (two Colombians, one Ecuadorian) and 3.255 tons of cocaine.
The combined 6.68-ton haul surpasses El Salvador's previous single-operation record of 6.606 tons seized on February 13, 2026. President Nayib Bukele announced the operation personally, emphasizing that the Navy is now taking the fight to narcotraffickers in waters where they once operated with total impunity. With this seizure, El Salvador has now confiscated 13.286 tons of cocaine in 2026 alone, with a cumulative street value exceeding $332.15 million. The operation underscores the Bukele administration's aggressive offshore interdiction strategy, projecting naval power hundreds of miles from the coastline to disrupt cartel transit routes before drugs reach Central American shores.
El Salvador's Navy conducted the largest single-operation drug seizure in the nation's history on June 18, 2026, intercepting two low-profile vessels (LPVs) operating far offshore in international waters and confiscating a combined 6.68 tons of cocaine valued at approximately $167 million.
The first interception occurred 582 nautical miles (1,074 kilometers) southwest of Bocana El Cordoncillo in the Estero de Jaltepeque. Navy elements boarded the vessel and arrested three traffickers — two Colombians and one Ecuadorian — who were transporting 3.425 tons of cocaine. Six hours later, in the same operational zone, a second LPV was located 633 nautical miles (1,172 kilometers) southwest of the same reference point. That vessel carried another three traffickers of identical national composition (two Colombians, one Ecuadorian) and 3.255 tons of cocaine.
The combined 6.68-ton haul surpasses El Salvador's previous single-operation record of 6.606 tons seized on February 13, 2026. President Nayib Bukele announced the operation personally, emphasizing that the Navy is now taking the fight to narcotraffickers in waters where they once operated with total impunity. With this seizure, El Salvador has now confiscated 13.286 tons of cocaine in 2026 alone, with a cumulative street value exceeding $332.15 million. The operation underscores the Bukele administration's aggressive offshore interdiction strategy, projecting naval power hundreds of miles from the coastline to disrupt cartel transit routes before drugs reach Central American shores.
SOURCE: https://x.com/nayibbukele/status/2068040251470234083 SOURCE (mirror): https://xcancel.com/nayibbukele/status/2068040251470234083
Outstanding! Great work!